Giorgio Chiellini, Mario Mandzukic Not in Juventus' UCL Squad for Ajax 2nd Leg

Giorgio Chiellini and Mario Mandzukic have both been left out of Juventus' squad for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Ajax on Tuesday:

The absence of both players will be a blow to Juve as they aim to book their place in the semi-finals of the competition after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Amsterdam.

Both players have failed to recover from injury in time for the game, although Emre Can, Douglas Costa and Daniele Rugani are back in the squad.

Chiellini has been out with a calf problem and missed the first leg against Ajax as well as Serie A matches against AC Milan and SPAL.

Football writer Matteo Bonetti explained why his absence is such a blow:

Rugani is likely to step in and replace Chiellini alongside Leonardo Bonucci in the heart of the defence. The 24-year-old has not completely convinced this season but has the backing of manager Massimiliano Allegri.

The Juventus boss spoke about the centre-back before the first leg in Amsterdam: "Daniele is one of the best centre-backs in Italy and one of the best in Europe, because in Italy we still have the best. We see that in Europe there are few as prepared as the Italians."

Allegri told Sky Sport (h/t Gianluca Di Marzio) that Mandzukic is missing because of knee trouble and mentioned Moise Kean and Paulo Dybala as options in his absence.

"Mandzukic has knee inflammation. He tested it today and he gave up," he said. "Kean or Dybala the replacement? I could use one, both or neither."

The Croatian has nine goals for Juventus this season but has not found the back of the net in 2019. His last goal for his club came in a 1-0 win over Roma in December.

Allegri does have options when it comes to replacing Mandzukic in the line-up, with Kean or Dybala the most likely players to come into the starting XI.

Kean is in good form for Juventus and has six goals in his last six Serie A appearances for the Old Lady:

The 19-year-old has yet to start in the Champions League but has shown how much of a threat he can be in recent games.

Bonetti highlighted his strengths:

Tuesday's tie is finely balanced after the first-leg draw, but Juventus look to have the slight edge with an away goal and home advantage for the return leg.

Keane has certainly staked his claim for a place in the starting XI, and it would not be a surprise if Allegri went with the talented teenager against Ajax.